Hang on, there's something odd here. Immersion heater with 13A fuse OK, (but not via a plug & socket) then what about heating controls and pump. They should be fused at 3A and as I read the thread it appears that they are all connected via the same 13A plug. Yet no one has commented on this, or the total combined load. This sounds dodgy as it is, never mind adding anything else to the 'hash up'. Or have I missed something?
Which regulation actually says what regarding that?
So just the same as every single socket circuit in the land, then.
I don't believe there is an actual regulation that states that, But I will refer to Appendix H of the OSG(H5)
I agree with all that, the crucial bit being 'if properly designed'. I've tried similar arguments myself in the past, but have attracted quite a lot of dissent - some would say that, even if supplied via a FCU currently containing a 3A fuse, feeding a socket from a 16A circuit, 12/13A of which will sometimes be spoken for by another load (the immersion) does not represent 'proper design' - the argument being that it would be only too easy for someone to change the fuse in the FCU to a 13A one.
In that case you must never install any socket circuits with more than x outlets where 20x > In.
The problem is when does "common sense" become "trotting out of advice with no actual sense being used at all"?
Not sure what you mean, it seems a sensible option to me to find another source for the socket outlet. To prevent misuse and overloading of a circuit that is dedicated to the immersion heater.
Ye Gods.
BAS, whilst I was totally agreeing with you 2 or 3 posts back, I think you are now being deliberately awkward. Whilst what you say is true, you knoiw as well as I do that, certainly in 'unskilled' hands, it is far more likely that the immersion+socket 16A circuit would be overloaded than a standard socket circuit with multiple sockets. At those times when the immersion is drawing current, a pretty modest load on the socket would result in an overload situation - so, unless the designer had very good reason for knowing what loads were going to be plugged in (e.g. if under the supervision of 'skilled' people - or, as I said before, if I were the designer and was going to be in sole control of the socket) common sense suggests that it is far from an ideal design practice - even though we can all agree that any socket circuit whichsatisfies your criteria can be overloaded.
Is there a hot water cylinder in this airing cupboard and, if so, is there something which looks like an immersion heater installed in it? An immersion heater should look something like this (click here to see) on the top and/or side of the cylinder, with a cable connecting it to somewhere.The fused plug in the airing cupboard goes to a metal box. Wires come from this and go to what look like 2 pumps and also the timer/control. When I pull this plug out. the pumps will not work and the light goes out on the control panel. I assumed I had an immersion as when I had a new consumer unit a few years ago the electrician labelled that circuit "Immersion"
I have a gas Back boiler if that helps but may or may not even have an immersion sorry. Ready for backlash
It sounds as if you probably don't have an immersion heater, in which case what you wanted to do would become much more reasonable. What is the 'thermostat thing' connected to - the heating control panel? Would it be possible for you to upload some photos for us?
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
